Labour Resource
Our whole labour resource – both site and office based – remains available to work, but only after they have received the necessary COVID-19 briefings (Toolbox Talk, RAMS, PPE Issue)
Travel to Site
Following the issue of the revised CLC Site Operating Procedures, we are now allowing shared travel to and from site in company vehicles. This is however, only in instances where operatives regularly travel to and from work together, and therefore are part of the same social circle. Operatives who have not worked together will not be permitted to share travel, and in this instance, we will be insisting on travelling in separate vehicles.
All BCI employees/contractors have been issued with Essential Worker Authorisation Letters, relating to the relevant trade and project that they are working on
Social Distancing Measures
Maintaining social distancing on site, where possible, in line in with the latest CLC Site Operating Procedures
Segregating work areas with physical barriers
Staggering break times, so shared areas are not overcrowded.
For teams working away from home in accommodation, ensuring separate rooms are provided so social areas are not shared
Rota based system for office-based employees, ensuring the office areas never become overcrowded
Cleaning Regimes
All BCI operatives have been issued with anti-bacterial spray, which is been used for – but not limited to – the following:
Cleaning down vehicles before and after each journey
Cleaning down work areas, tools and access equipment before and after each use/task
Cleaning down shared areas (i.e. canteens) before and after each use
Operatives have also been issued with their own personal bottle of hand sanitiser to keep in their possession on site
Hand sanitising stations installed at BCI offices, and guidance displayed on walls throughout office promoting the highest standards of cleanliness
PPE
All BCI operatives have been issued with personalised backpacks, to ensure that PPE is stored safely and avoid any potential for cross contamination. These include the following:
- FFP3 dust mask, suitable for relevant face fit testing completed
- Anti-bacterial spray and cloths
- Suitable cut grade gloves
- Hand sanitiser
- Impact resistant safety glasses and case
- Kevlar arm gauntlets
- Disposable ear defenders
- Hi-visibility vest
- Safety helmet
Contingency Plans
Contingency plans include:
Constant review of company COVID-19 procedures
Regular communication with workforce to avoid of breaches of procedure
Regular communication with supply chain to establish any stock level/lead in issues
Ensure procedures are running in line with daily government updates
Testing:
On 28th April 2020, the government extended the available Coronavirus testing kits to include construction workers. Information on how to arrange a test can be obtained via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested
Material Availability
We remain in regular contact with all our suppliers to ensure we have the latest up-to-date information regarding all stock availability. We have encountered some issues in obtaining stock – particularly Gypsum based products – however with the recent news that both Knauf and British Gypsum are set to start manufacturing again on the 27th April 2020, these concerns have been eased somewhat. Certain products remain on an allocation only basis, and therefore we are requesting four weeks’ notice to obtain materials to give us a realistic procurement period leading into new projects. Of course, where possible we will be able to better this guideline.
Material Deliveries
We continue to receive a high level of service from our supply chain and have successfully delivered projects that have remained open under the new measures during this outbreak. We have experienced longer waits for deliveries and collections, but the correct planning from our both our clients and our managers has helped to ensure these delays have not filtered down to site level.
Offload and Deliveries
All suppliers are now operating a “contactless” delivery service, meaning that materials are picked, loaded and offloaded whilst observing social distancing measures. We continue to operate full manual handling procedures and assessing what items cannot be transported by one operative, avoiding as best we can the number of multiple operative lifts.
Furloughed Workforce
We are currently working at reduced labour levels with some office staff on furlough leave. However, these employees are ready to return to work as soon as workload allows.
